Getting to Newcastle is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation at no additional cost, or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 595 Metres Approx.

After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in Newcastle, and they’ll provide you with your rental bikes (if renting) and your map and chat you through how to use the navigation app.

They will then transfer you to Bowness-on-Solway to begin your journey. Bowness-on-Solway is the beginning of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail, and the village sits on the stunning Solway Firth Natural Landscape. The views of Scotland from here are simply breathtaking. The area is also a haven for wildlife.

Your first day’s riding is a gentle introduction to the trip with a flat ride by the banks of the Solway Firth before skirting Carlisle. This thriving regional city is well worth a visit if time allows; showcasing some of the area’s historic treasures in the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, and boasting Carlisle Castle. From here you will make your way towards Warwick Bridge; this section along the river is very picturesque – so cameras at the ready! A short roller coaster of a ride then takes you past Lanercost, with its impressive Augustinian priory which was a key target for Scots in retaliation to English raids, and then onto your first real uphill section of the day towards Greenhead. Just before Birdoswald Roman Fort, there is a superb section of Hadrian’s Wall, right next to the cycling route.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 525 Metres Approx.

Today you will cross the Pennine watershed and gradually climb out of Greenhead before a welcome descent into the South Tyne Valley down into Haltwhistle. If you‘re in need of a rest and recharge (and maybe a cake and cup of tea), there are plenty of tea shops here to take your pick from. At Bardon Mill you head back up the South Tyne Valley to a summit at Smith’s Shield before an exhilarating descent to Vindolanda; a Roman frontier military and civilian site, and a must for those in search of Roman history and culture. A cheeky climb takes you to Crindledykes, the highest point of the route at 263 metres above sea level. You then drop towards Fourstones before passing through the market town of Hexham and towards the garrison town of Corbridge.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 370 Metres Approx.

With all the major climbs behind you, the route begins to follow the valley floor towards Prudhoe. Passing through the pretty villages of Ovingham and Wylam, passing George Stephenson’s Cottage, and then crossing the River Tyne twice, you will cycle along an old wagonway towards Newcastle following the banks of the Tyne. You will take in views of the famous bridges across the river, including the “blinking eye” Millennium Bridge, with the imposing Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art dominating the skyline. The Cycle Hub is situated just after this and the perfect place for a well-earned cuppa and a slice of delicious homemade cake. It’s dedicated to the cyclist and also the home of Saddle Skedaddle – if you catch us during office hours, why not come and say hello?

Not far to go now as you head into the heart of the shipbuilding area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend – literally the “Wall’s end“, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum if you fancy a little more Roman history to end your Hadrian’s Wall experience. Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the North Shields Fish Quay, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and be able to sample some of the finest fish and chips in the North-East! You are now at the mouth of the Tyne, and your destination for this evening, Tynemouth, where you can enjoy fish and chips overlooking the sea before settling into your accommodation for the night.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 305 Metres Approx.

Founded at the beginning of the 7th Century and having one of the most beautiful views of the coast, Tynemouth Priory and Castle was once one of the biggest fortresses and religious sites in England. You continue cycling along the seafront, past the Victorian resort of Whitley Bay and on to the sea port of Blyth. You’ll soon leave the urban surroundings behind and pass into much more open countryside and quiet country lanes. Don’t miss the stunning Druridge Bay with its seven mile sandy beach, nature reserve and some of Northumberland’s biggest sand dunes. You finish today in Warkworth famous for its impressive 12th century castle and almost complete keep built over 600 years ago by the first Earl of Northumberland.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 295 Metres Approx.

Your first stop this morning is the pretty village of Alnmouth. After stopping for a quick cup of tea your route takes you towards the attractive coastal village of Craster and the impressive medieval castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh. At Bamburgh, as well as the castle in its dramatic setting on a rock outcrop, there is the Grace Darling museum, a famous heroine of the lifeboats.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 295 Metres Approx.

Just up the coast from Bamburgh you come to Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, a key site in early Christianity and the place where the Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the 8th century. If the tide and time allows, it’s worth the extra 7 mile round trip to visit the island by crossing the tidal causeway. From Holy Island, it’s on to the Elizabethan border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, with its complex defences built up over the years of border wars, and your accommodation for the night.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 425 Metres Approx.

From Berwick-upon-Tweed, it’s inland, along the Tweed valley to Kelso. On the way you’ll cross the border into Scotland, then back into England over the famous Union Suspension Bridge that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe in Northumberland and Fishwick in the Scottish Borders. At the Chainbridge Honey Farm, you can get a cup of tea and feast yourselves on yummy cakes and enjoy them on a vintage double decker bus! As the name implies, you can buy lots of honey there too. A few miles on you cross back into Scotland at Norham Castle, and on to Kelso, with the impressive Floors Castle and your first night spent over the border!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.

This morning you head to Melrose, famed for its impressive Gothic-style abbey, which is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart! Leaving Melrose, you continue along the increasingly deep Tweed Valley, surrounded by forested hills and following the course of this famous salmon river to Innerleithen, home to Traquair House, reputedly the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 610 Metres Approx.

Heading north out of Innerleithen the route climbs up an over the Moorfoot Hills, with views of Edinburgh in the distance. Dropping down from the hills and heading through Dalkeith and Musselburgh you make your way into Edinburgh through the Innocent Tunnel and past Arthur’s Seat to the finish point. Here you will be met here by our representative for the journey back to Newcastle. The finish point has been chosen for its close proximity to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, should you be departing by train.